Vietnam Introduces Motorcycle Emission Standards amid Nationwide Air-Quality Reforms

As Vietnam advances its plan to reduce serious pollution in its major cities, the government has recently introduced national motorcycle emission standards, establishing a nationwide framework for controlling motorcycle and moped emissions for the first time.

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Vietnam is entering a new phase of environmental regulation as air pollution becomes a central policy concern in major urban and industrial centers. In December 2025, the Prime Minister approved the National Action Plan on Pollution Remediation and Air Quality Management for 2026-2030, with a vision extending to 2045.

The plan establishes detailed targets, responsibilities, and priority projects to improve air quality, strengthen emissions control, and support Vietnam’s transition toward a green and sustainable economy.

Within this broader framework, the transport sector has been identified as a key contributor to urban air pollution, alongside industrial activity and open burning. As motorcycles and mopeds remain the dominant mode of transport nationwide, regulating emissions from two-wheel vehicles has become a policy priority.

Against the backdrop, on December 12, 2025, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE) issued Circular No. 92/2025/TT-BNNMT (“Circular 92”), promulgating the National Technical Regulation on Emissions for Motorcycles and Mopeds Participating in Road Traffic. The circular introduces, for the first time, a structured, nationwide framework for controlling emissions from motorcycles and mopeds.

Establishing national emission standards for motorcycles

Circular 92 applies to individuals, organizations, and businesses using motorcycles and mopeds in road traffic, as well as entities conducting emission inspections and relevant state management authorities.

While the circular defines the technical standards and compliance framework, it also specifies that implementation will follow decisions issued by the Prime Minister, allowing the government to phase in requirements in line with enforcement capacity and socioeconomic considerations.

Emission parameters and technical thresholds

The regulation sets maximum permissible emission limits based on two key indicators: carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HC). These pollutants are closely linked to urban air-quality degradation and public health risks, particularly in densely populated cities.

Under Circular 92, CO limits range from 4.5 percent to 2.0 percent by volume, depending on the applicable compliance level. HC limits are differentiated by engine type to reflect technological differences across Vietnam’s motorcycle fleet.

These parameters provide a standardized basis for emission testing and enforcement across provinces and municipalities.

Four-tier compliance system aligned with international standards

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Circular 92 introduces a four-level emission compliance system broadly aligned with European standards, creating a clear progression path for regulatory tightening:

• Level 1 is equivalent to Euro 1 standards and remains below Euro 2 requirements.
• Level 2 is close to Euro 2 and is designed as a transitional benchmark, acknowledging the continued circulation of older motorcycles.
• Level 3 aligns closely with Euro 3 standards, representing a more advanced stage of emissions control.
• Level 4, the highest tier, is closely aligned with Euro 4 standards for motorcycles, which are widely applied across Europe and other developed markets.

This tiered structure allows authorities to raise environmental requirements gradually while giving vehicle owners and businesses time to adapt.

Scale of implementation and inspection capacity

Vietnam currently has around 70 million motorcycles and mopeds in circulation nationwide, underscoring the scale of the regulatory challenge. Effective enforcement of Circular 92 will depend heavily on the availability of emission inspection infrastructure.

According to official estimates, approximately 5,000 qualified emission inspection facilities will be required nationwide to support implementation. This expansion aligns with the National Action Plan’s broader emphasis on strengthening monitoring capacity, improving data collection, and integrating digital technologies into environmental management.

Integration with Vietnam’s urban air-quality action plan

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Circular 92 forms part of a broader package of air-quality measures under the National Action Plan for 2026–2030. The plan sets specific targets for reducing PM2.5 concentrations, improving the Vietnam Air Quality Index (VN_AQI), and maintaining “good” air-quality levels across major cities in the long term.

In the transport sector, these measures include the planned introduction of low-emission zones (LEZs) in Hanoi and HCMC, incentives for clean and green mobility, and a requirement for all public-transport vehicles in these cities to operate on clean or green energy by 2030. Motorcycle emission standards are, therefore, a foundational element supporting wider transport and urban-planning reforms.

See also: Vietnam’s Plan to Combat Urban Air Pollution: Insights for Businesses

Business implications: compliance and transition pressures

For businesses, Circular 92 signals tighter and more systematic regulation of vehicle emissions, particularly for those operating in urban areas. Companies relying on motorcycle fleets, such as logistics providers, delivery platforms, and ride-hailing operators, will need to evaluate fleet age, maintenance practices, and long-term replacement strategies.

As emission standards tighten and enforcement mechanisms mature, older and higher-emission vehicles may face higher operating costs, more frequent inspections, or restricted access to certain urban zones. Early planning will be critical to managing compliance risks and controlling costs.

Outlook: emissions regulation as a long-term business factor

Circular 92 reflects a broader shift in Vietnam’s regulatory landscape, where environmental compliance is becoming an integral part of doing business rather than a peripheral concern. As air-quality objectives are embedded into national planning and urban governance, transport-related emissions regulation is likely to tighten further over time.

For businesses operating in Vietnam, monitoring implementation timelines, aligning fleet and investment strategies with policy direction, and identifying opportunities in green mobility and environmental services will be essential to remaining competitive in an increasingly regulated operating environment.

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